Some mortgage brokers are steering borrowers towards two-year fixed rates in order to collect more commission - even when it is not the best option for them.
That is the claim from a whistleblower working for a major mortgage lender, who has spoken to This is Money under condition of anonymity.
It comes as new data revealed borrowers are moving decisively away from long term fixed mortgages, with demand for ten year deals dropping to its lowest level in years.
In terms of actual recommendations sent by brokers to customers - a document known as an European Standardised Information Sheet (ESIS), 50 per cent of these have been two-year fixes in 2025 compared to 45 per cent for five-year fixes.
That differs from last year, when marginally more recommendations were made for five-year fixes than for two-year deals.
Whether taking a two or five-year fix is the best move is up for debate, and given the mortgage rate spikes of the past few years, borrowers are understandably keen to get the right advice.
'We are seeing a planned pivot back to shorter fixes,' said Nakita Moss, head of product at Twenty7tec.
'With rates easing and a huge wave of borrowers coming to the end of their five year Covid-era deals, many are choosing to keep their options open.
Nathan Reilly, commercial director at Twenty7tec added: 'Advisers are in a crucial position right now. With so many clients coming off five year fixes, the conversation isn’t just about finding the lowest rate, it’s about balancing...
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